European stock indices are down for the third consecutive day, as data from Japan and Korea have added evidence that global growth is slowing, while the likelihood that the Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will announce the host another round of QE is reduced.

Shares of BHP Billiton Ltd (BHP) and Rio Tinto Group lost more than 1.5% on the fact that the price of iron ore has fallen to its lowest level in nearly three years.

WPP Plc fell 2.8% after the largest advertising company in the world has reduced the outlook for sales growth.

Shares of Carrefour (CA) and Vivendi SA (VIV) SA rose after earnings topped analysts' estimates.

Stoxx Europe 600 Index (SXXP) fell 0.4% to 265.98.

In South Korea, producer confidence remains near its lowest level against the background of the global financial crisis, while data from Australia showed that the number of approved applications for housing has fallen to the lowest level in the last ten years.

To date:

FTSE 100 5,730.65 -12.88 -0.22%

CAC 40 3,397.91 -15.98 -0.47%

DAX 6,946.73 -63.84 -0.91%